Operating rates at copper plate/sheet and strip plants fell in April

According to SMM survey, the operating rates of copper plate/sheet and strip enterprises averaged 71.04% in April, down 2.03 percentage points month-on-month and 6.46 percentage points year-on-year. The average operating rates of large, medium-sized and small enterprises were 72.55%, 70.97%, and 65.29% respectively. (Notes: SMM surveyed 36 producers with a total production capacity of 2.66 million mt/year). The unexpected surge in copper prices in April led to a rapid deterioration in orders for copper plate/sheet and strip. Downstream customers did not purchase unless necessary, resulting in varying degrees of order reduction.